How do I switch electricity or gas supplier in Belgium?

The short answer

Your supply does not stop when you switch: the cables, pipes and meter stay the same. Only the company that sends the bill changes.

📜 The rules in Belgium

Switching supplier

Sign with the new supplier; it arranges everything, including ending your old contract. The legal notice is one month (in practice about 3–4 weeks). No termination fee is allowed, but some suppliers still charge the fixed annual fee for a full year.

Official source: vlaamsenutsregulator.be · Checked 2026-09-27

The market

The electricity and gas market is fully open (Flanders since 2003, Brussels and Wallonia since 2007). Households choose their supplier and can change contract or supplier at any time, free of charge. Many consumer rules are regional.

Official source: vlaamsenutsregulator.be · Checked 2026-09-27

Cooling-off period

Since 1 January 2024 you have a right of withdrawal for every type of gas or electricity supply contract. For contracts signed at the door, by phone or online you have 14 calendar days.

Official source: economie.fgov.be · Checked 2026-09-27

Rules differ by region

Flanders — Regulator: Vlaamse Nutsregulator (formerly VREG); compare with the V-test. Grid operator Fluvius. Your supplier cannot cut you off: if it ends your contract, Fluvius becomes your social supplier with a Prepaid meter function.
Wallonia — Regulator: CWaPE; compare with CompaCWaPE. Disputes: Service régional de médiation pour l'énergie (SRME). After unpaid bills your supplier may ask for a prepayment meter or go to the justice of the peace, not cut you off directly.
Brussels-Capital Region — Regulator: BRUGEL; compare with BRUSIM; disputes: BRUGEL Service des litiges. Cut-off only with a justice of the peace ruling, never 1 October–31 March. Sibelga is grid operator and supplier of last resort.

🪜 Step by step

Get your details readyTake your latest bill: meter point number, yearly use, and the end date and notice period of your contract.
Compare offersUse the price comparison below and look at the total yearly cost, not only the price per kWh. Check how long the price is fixed.
Sign with the new supplierIn most countries the new supplier arranges the switch, including notice to the old one. Keep the confirmation.
Check the final billRead your meter on the switch date and compare it with the old supplier’s final bill. Any credit must be paid back.

📇 Who to contact

CREG Scan (national); regional: V-test® (Flanders), CompaCWaPE (Wallonia), BRUSIM (Brussels) officialCompare electricity and gas offersBefore you switch, or when your price goes up🔗 www.cregscan.be/nl

CREG – Commissie voor de Regulering van de Elektriciteit en het GasSupervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules🔗 www.creg.be/nl

Vlaamse Nutsregulator (VNR, voorheen VREG) (Flanders)Supervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules🔗 www.vlaamsenutsregulator.be

CWaPE – Commission wallonne pour l'Énergie (Wallonia)Supervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules🔗 www.cwape.be

BRUGEL (Brussels-Capital Region)Supervises energy companies and explains your rightsFor information, and to report a company that breaks the rules🔗 brugel.brussels

Testaankoop / Test-AchatsIndependent advice for consumersFor advice, template letters and a second opinion🔗 www.test-aankoop.be

❓ Questions

Will I be without power when I switch?

No. The physical supply continues; only the contract changes.

Can my old supplier charge an exit fee?

That depends on your contract and on the rules in Belgium shown on this page. Fees usually only apply to fixed-term, fixed-price contracts.

Can I cancel a new contract?

Contracts made at the door, by phone or online usually have a cooling-off period. The rules for Belgium are on this page.

📎 Sources

Checked: 2026-09-27

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

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🔄 How do I switch electricity or gas supplier in Belgium?